What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to provide a new edition and analysis of the Linear A inscription IO Za 2, highlighting its significance in Minoan rituals.

June 17, 2026Open Access

The Linear A Inscription IO Za 2 - A Ritual Invocation from the Sanctuary of Tinu and Ida-Mate

Key Points

This study aims to provide a new edition and analysis of the Linear A inscription IO Za 2, highlighting its significance in Minoan rituals.
Engraved inscriptions were linguistically analyzed and reconstructed.
Comparison was made with related inscriptions to outline a coherent ritual sequence.
Integration of archaeological context and internal textual parallels informed the interpretation.
The inscription IO Za 2 reveals a structured ritual formula invoking the sanctuary of Tinu and Ida-Mate.
TA-NA-RA is interpreted as 'sanctuary', and TI-NU as a divine name, reflecting Minoan religious nomenclature.
Findings contribute to the understanding of Minoan ritual language and enhance our grasp of sacred geography in Bronze Age Crete.

Abstract

This preprint presents a new edition, reconstruction, and linguistic analysis of the Linear A inscription IO Za 2, engraved on a miniature stone libation table from the summit sanctuary of Mount Juktas, Crete. The inscription belongs to the group of ritual texts commonly known as the Minoan Libation Formula and preserves one of the longest and most complete examples currently known. Through comparison with the closely related inscriptions TL Za 1, PK Za 11, PR Za 1, and KO Za 1, the study reconstructs a coherent ritual sequence comprising divine invocation, lamentation, libation, and cultic dedication. Particular attention is devoted to the expressions A-TA-I-JO-WA-JA, JA-DI-KI-TU, JA-SA-SA-RA-ŽA, U-NA-KA-NA-SI, I-PI-NA-MA, and SI-RU-TE, which together form a highly structured ritual formula. The damaged concluding section is reconstructed as TA-NA-RA-TE-U-TI-NU I-DA-MA-TE-QE. The analysis interprets TA-NA-RA as “sanctuary”, TE-U as “of the god”, TI-NU as a divine name comparable to Mycenaean Greek di-wo-nu-so, and I-DA-MA-TE as a pre-Mycenaean form of Demeter independently attested elsewhere in the Linear A corpus. The resulting interpretation identifies the sanctuary of the god Tinu and Ida-Mate as the recipients of the ritual invocation. The study further examines the archaeological context of the inscription within the summit sanctuary of Mount Juktas, including the relationship between the open-air altar complex and the adjacent ritual chasm. By integrating epigraphic evidence, archaeological context, internal textual parallels, and comparative linguistics, the paper argues that IO Za 2 constitutes one of the most important currently known witnesses to Minoan ritual language and religious thought. Together with the companion studies of TL Za 1 and KO Za 1, this publication contributes to the reconstruction of a coherent corpus of Linear A libation inscriptions and provides new evidence for religious terminology, sacred geography, and ritual practice in Bronze Age Crete.

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